The absolute mental gymnastics it takes to tell a congregation that rounding up other humans and not treating them with compassion or dignity would make Jesus smile is appalling.
How does the prophet’s mantle feel, Sharon? You wear it with grace, but it can be tough to be one calling the church to live out her principles. I am thankful for your courage and conviction.
To your credit! Ha. Speaking truth to power and calling one's own people to account (in this case, the church) is the role of a prophet. It's not easy and healthy people don't aspire to it. But they don't run from it when called to it. Just wanted to acknowledge what I'm seeing and thank you for your words.
Gosh I love this Sharon <3 I have quoted it so many times recently but I finished the Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley this year and have not been able to stop thinking about this one particular line. 'Forgiveness and hope are miracles. They let you change your life. They are time-travel.’ I thought about that at the end of this article. How we can at any point choose a different path.
I clicked the link to watch the video of Joel Webbon….😵💫😳I have no words. Just horror. The only way to combat that evil is with truth. Thank you for speaking truth!
I missed that link and went back to find it. Watched and was shocked by what I was hearing. I had never heard of Joel Webbon. Horrifying. Thank you Sharon for calling this out.
We just watched A Muppets Christmas Carol (the best adaptation of course) last night and had a similar conversation about its applicability today. Great article!
Thank you for the reminder that even the scroogiest among us could have a change of heart. Did Septima read Dickens?? May God bless us and open all our hearts!
What a superb article! Thank you for speaking out in such an eloquent, powerful and, yes, prophetic manner as another reader wrote. I will be forwarding…. And this encourages my heart to serve as I will join with others in providing immigrant kids with Christmas toys in my N VA region next week. So many around them don’t want them here. 😢
Thank you. I cannot even conceive of this world I live in today and wonder if those “Scrooges” even see themselves? I’m so tired of living in fear but I honestly don’t know what to do. Yet, here it is another day and I shall carry on…
So beautifully and eloquently stated. The blending of this beloved tale of long ago and today’s troubling times is expertly illustrated. Wonderful way to get your point across.
We are reading a Christmas Carol in my book group and this really touched me. I had never read the book though I had seen all the movies. I was so moved by the small little book that held such an incredible story and now for you to give it a whole new meaning I cannot wait to share. I ageee this is one of the best articles! Thank you.
Such clarity, beautifully written… would your words become like that long ago whisps of fog wrapping around those who are crafting their chains, like some gentle whisper of change. Once again, Sharon, may we who appreciate you, thank you.
Thank you for such a thoughtfully written piece, Sharon. And I LOVE that you captured images from "Scrooge!" with Albert Finney. My favorite version (except for maybe The Muppets).
I think this might just be my favorite article from the whole year ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
“A Christmas Carol” has never been clearer to me.
God bless us, everyone!
❤️❤️
The absolute mental gymnastics it takes to tell a congregation that rounding up other humans and not treating them with compassion or dignity would make Jesus smile is appalling.
How does the prophet’s mantle feel, Sharon? You wear it with grace, but it can be tough to be one calling the church to live out her principles. I am thankful for your courage and conviction.
I definitely don’t think of myself in those terms whatsoever. ❤️❤️❤️
To your credit! Ha. Speaking truth to power and calling one's own people to account (in this case, the church) is the role of a prophet. It's not easy and healthy people don't aspire to it. But they don't run from it when called to it. Just wanted to acknowledge what I'm seeing and thank you for your words.
❤️❤️❤️
Beautifully said, Kelley. Sharon's grace and humility are such a big part of what makes me listen to her. Clearly she is also very brave as well!
Gosh I love this Sharon <3 I have quoted it so many times recently but I finished the Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley this year and have not been able to stop thinking about this one particular line. 'Forgiveness and hope are miracles. They let you change your life. They are time-travel.’ I thought about that at the end of this article. How we can at any point choose a different path.
Love how classic literature quite frequently and unabashedly truthfully speaks into today. Agree with Nikkie might be my favorite of the year.
❤️❤️❤️
I clicked the link to watch the video of Joel Webbon….😵💫😳I have no words. Just horror. The only way to combat that evil is with truth. Thank you for speaking truth!
I am sorry to have subjected you to that so early in the day! 😬
I missed that link and went back to find it. Watched and was shocked by what I was hearing. I had never heard of Joel Webbon. Horrifying. Thank you Sharon for calling this out.
We just watched A Muppets Christmas Carol (the best adaptation of course) last night and had a similar conversation about its applicability today. Great article!
Oh my gosh, my family too. It is one of my favorite renditions, but yes, the meaning in the Muppets version is the same and still so applicable.
Thank you for the reminder that even the scroogiest among us could have a change of heart. Did Septima read Dickens?? May God bless us and open all our hearts!
Amazing article. This part in particular stood out:
"Scrooge’s greatest horror is not that he glimpses his own death. It is that he realizes that everyone around him was relieved when he passed."
My hope is that we can all live our lives such that no one feels relief from our passing — how heartbreaking.
What a superb article! Thank you for speaking out in such an eloquent, powerful and, yes, prophetic manner as another reader wrote. I will be forwarding…. And this encourages my heart to serve as I will join with others in providing immigrant kids with Christmas toys in my N VA region next week. So many around them don’t want them here. 😢
Thank you. I cannot even conceive of this world I live in today and wonder if those “Scrooges” even see themselves? I’m so tired of living in fear but I honestly don’t know what to do. Yet, here it is another day and I shall carry on…
So beautifully and eloquently stated. The blending of this beloved tale of long ago and today’s troubling times is expertly illustrated. Wonderful way to get your point across.
We are reading a Christmas Carol in my book group and this really touched me. I had never read the book though I had seen all the movies. I was so moved by the small little book that held such an incredible story and now for you to give it a whole new meaning I cannot wait to share. I ageee this is one of the best articles! Thank you.
Such clarity, beautifully written… would your words become like that long ago whisps of fog wrapping around those who are crafting their chains, like some gentle whisper of change. Once again, Sharon, may we who appreciate you, thank you.
Thank you for such a thoughtfully written piece, Sharon. And I LOVE that you captured images from "Scrooge!" with Albert Finney. My favorite version (except for maybe The Muppets).
It’s one of my faves and is so under appreciated!!